Page 33 of Wyoming Bodyguard
“You can bring him here,” Walter interjected. “Got plenty of room.”
“Thanks. This guy’s a real rascal. Stubborn as hell. He’ll need extra attention. I have to figure out the best approach to use with him.” Dax scratched the dark whiskers on his chin.
“Lily’s good with horses,” Madden said. “She might have some suggestions.”
Dax raised his eyebrows, amusement shining from his blue eyes. “I’m good. Thanks.”
The condescension dripping from his words raised her hackles, but she kept her opinion to herself. Clearly there was some kind of animosity between the brothers, and she didn’t want to put herself in the middle. Besides, she had enough problems of her own to deal with.
“I’m around if you change your mind. But for now, let’s play cards.” She forced a cheerful smile.
“Been a long time since we’ve had a lady at the table,” Walter said, grinning. “You sure you can handle us?”
“Trust me, I can handle anything.”
The men chuckled as Larry dealt the cards and Madden placed poker chips in front of each of them.
Studying her hand, excitement stirred in the pit of her stomach. As hard as her life was right now, a confidence she’d never experienced grew inside her, and she finally did believe she could handle whatever was thrown at her. And she couldn’t help but wonder if the man who sat beside her had something to do with it.
But in this moment, her victory had nothing to do with Madden. She shoved the pile of chips into the center of the table and grinned. “I’m all in.”
Chapter 13
After Lily took all his money, Madden convinced her to call it quits and head back to her place. The other men were happy to see her leave and hold on to what little cash they had left. He was happy to put some space between him and Dax.
The sun had started its descent, casting an orangish glow in the sky. He jumped out of his truck and stared at the open country beyond the fence. His job at Tremont Ranch the past few days wasn’t the type of work he once did, but it was nice being outside. Having the opportunity to absorb the land, even if it wasn’t his own.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
The awe in Lily’s voice turned him toward her, and his breath caught in his throat. “Yeah. Beautiful.” He turned back toward the mountains before she caught him staring.
“Can we take a ride?” she asked, still facing forward. “This is my favorite time of day to take Queenie out. I love how everything has some kind of magical glow around it and the world is just a little bit quieter. It’s the best time to focus my mind, and I could really use some focus.”
No matter how much he wanted to, he couldn’t tell her no. Not when his reason for staying off a horse was tied to the constant throbbing in his shoulder. Better to agree the find a way to make it a quick ride. “Sure.”
“Thanks.” She led the way to the barn, hauling open the heavy door with little effort. Standing in the wide aisle, she stopped for a moment and closed her eyes. He could practically see the strain melting away, her muscles loosening.
He envied her. Envied her ability to pour her whole heart into what she loved.
“Do you remember where everything is?” she asked, heading toward the tack room.
“Yup. Do you want me to saddle Ace again?”
“If that’s okay with you. He’s my dad’s mount and is used to being ridden daily.”
He waited for her to grab what she needed to get Queenie ready then found Ace’s saddle, saddle pad and brushes. He carried everything to Ace’s stall.
Ace whined and butted his nose against Madden.
“Hey, big guy. Gonna take it easy on me again today?” He worked quickly and efficiently to ready the horse, offering plenty of pets as he went. When everything was situated, he slipped the bridle and reins over the horse’s neck, gently placing the bit in Ace’s mouth. “All right. Here goes nothing.”
Madden guided Ace outside where Lily and Queenie waited. He made some last minute adjustments on the girth then heaved himself on the animal’s strong back. “Ready?”
“Always. Let’s head a different way tonight. I don’t want to go by the shed. For a few minutes, I want to forget all my problems, not come face-to-face with them.”
“Lead the way.”
Lily maneuvered Queenie away from the barn in the opposite direction of the shed. “There’s a meadow behind the house I love. Goes down to a quiet, little stream.”
